Sea otters are one of the most adorable marine mammals, with their fuzzy appearance and playful nature. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can get up close and personal with these cute creatures, you’re not alone.
Read on as we dive deep into the details surrounding sea otter temperament and friendliness.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Wild sea otters typically avoid close interactions with humans and are not considered overly ‘friendly’. However, rescued sea otters that have been rehabilitated by trained professionals and live in aquariums or facilities can often be quite friendly and accustomed to human contact.
The Natural Temperament of Wild Sea Otters
They Tend to Be Wary of Humans
In the wild, sea otters tend to be cautious and wary when encountering humans. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, wild sea otters will often swim or drift away when spotting humans, keeping their distance. This skittish behavior is likely an evolutionary adaptation to avoid potential threats.
Wild sea otters face threats like killer whale attacks, so they have learned to be on high alert. Seeing an unfamiliar large creature like a human triggers their instinct to flee. Additionally, historical hunting of sea otters for their fur has made them shy away from human activity when possible.
Mothers With Pups Are Especially Cautious
Female sea otters with newborn pups tend to be particularly wary of perceived dangers. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, mother sea otters are very protective of their young during the pup’s first few months of life.
They may hiss, growl, or lunge at any potential threat that approaches them.
A study published in Biological Conservation found that female sea otters with pups reacted to kayakers from nearly 3 times farther away than males or non-pup females. This hypervigilance is an instinct to protect their vulnerable offspring from harm.
Territorial Males Can Occasionally Show Aggression
Male sea otters can become protective of their territories, especially during mating seasons. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, male sea otters may charge towards intruders, including humans, that encroach on spaces they have claimed.
However, despite their sharp teeth, sea otters rarely attack humans. Displays of aggression are likely meant to scare off the intruder rather than cause physical harm. So while territorial male sea otters put on an intimidating front if you get too close, unprovoked attacks are extremely uncommon.
When Sea Otters Have Been Rescued or Rehabilitated
Increased Human Contact Makes Them More Accustomed
Sea otters that have been rescued or rehabilitated often become more accustomed to human contact during their recovery. Since they receive care and feeding from humans, they can become comfortable with close interaction.
According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, sea otters in their care even learn to come when called by their names! While this friendlier behavior can seem endearing, people should keep in mind these sea otters are still wild animals that can be unpredictable.
Well-Socialized Otters Enjoy Playing and Hand-Feeding
When otters have positive associations with humans, they tend to become more playful and interactive. For example, the rescued otters at the Seattle Aquarium love to play with toys, do training exercises, and hand-feed from aquarists.
Videos of these otters show their funny antics and obvious enjoyment of human attention. However, well-socialized otters are still capable of nipping or scratching if frightened or annoyed. Caution should always be taken.
But Caution Is Still Advised With Wild Animals
While rescued sea otters can become acclimated to humans, people should be careful not to interpret this as the same as domestication. Even frequent positive interaction does not override thousands of years of wild instincts.
Sea otters are still unpredictable wild animals that can be provoked by unpredictable stimuli. Well-intentioned actions like trying to pet, hold, or feed sea otters almost always end badly in the wild according to the Humane Society. Enjoying their antics is safest from a distance.
Where You’re Most Likely to Encounter Friendly Sea Otters
Public Aquariums With Trained Staff
One of the best places to safely interact with sea otters is at a public aquarium, especially one with trained animal care staff and education programs. Aquariums like the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, Vancouver Aquarium in Canada, and Seattle Aquarium all have rescued sea otters used for educational purposes.
You’ll often find otter feeding shows and chances to see the otters up close in their habitats. The staff are experts at caring for the otters and educating visitors, so it’s a great opportunity to learn more about these amazing animals.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers on Occasion
Sometimes sea otter pups are found sick, injured, or orphaned along the Pacific coast. When this happens, they are often taken to wildlife rehabilitation facilities to recover before being released back to the wild.
At some of these centers, there are special behind-the-scenes opportunities for the public to see rescued otter pups and learn about sea otter conservation. One example is the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Program, where guests might get peeks at pups undergoing rehabilitation.
However, direct contact is extremely limited since the main goal is returning the otters to their natural habitat.
While Kayaking or Touring Protected Habitats
If you’re lucky, you may encounter wild sea otters in their natural environments along the California coastline, Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, or even the Pacific Northwest. Prime spots include Monterey Bay, Big Sur, Morro Bay, and the Olympic Coast.
Guided kayak ecotours often provide the best chance to spot them. While admiring the otters from a safe distance is fine, chasing or disturbing them is illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Let them approach you instead!
😃 Seeing them drifting on their backs or playing with pups is an unforgettable experience. Just be sure to give them space and respect their habitat.
Important Safety Tips If You Meet a Sea Otter
Give Wild Sea Otters Plenty of Space
When encountering wild sea otters, whether on a beach or in the water, it’s crucial to keep a respectful distance of at least 50 yards. Coming too close can cause undue stress for the animals. Allowing ample personal space also safeguards against potential bites.
Sea otters possess sharp teeth and will bite humans out of fear or if they feel threatened.
Additionally, getting too near sea otters puts them at risk of contracting diseases from people. As the Sea Otter Foundation’s guidelines state, “There is no safe distance to feed wild sea otters. Any human-provided food can make wild animals sick or even kill them.”
So giving them a wide berth protects both parties.
Read an Otter’s Body Language Carefully
Sea otters communicate through vocalizations and body posturing. It’s wise to learn some basic otter body language signals to avoid misinterpreting their behavior as friendly when they feel perturbed or upset.
Some signs of irritation include rapid nose twitching, exaggerated yawning with teeth exposed, and flicking the tail against the chest.
Conversely, a resting, relaxed otter floating on its back likely feels undisturbed. Sea otters often sleep this way, with paws up and head on their belly. They may also groom themselves, demonstrating calmness through smooth, unrushed movements.
But regardless of seeming chilled out, maintaining distance remains paramount.
Never Try to Touch or Feed Sea Otters in the Wild
Attempting to touch, feed, or interact with wild sea otters almost always causes more harm than good. Despite their cute and cuddly appearance, these are still unpredictable wild animals. An otter may react aggressively and bite if scared or overwhelmed.
Moreover, feeding sea otters can make them lose their natural fear of humans. This often leads to the animals becoming conditioned to beg for food. Begging behaviors place tremendous stress on populations already struggling near developed coastlines.
Also, human foods wreak havoc on the digestive systems of sea otters, which are highly specialized to process seafood diets. The rich foods can cause lethal diseases in the otters. So the consensus among marine biologists remains clear – no touching or feeding sea otters whatsoever.
The Future Friendliness of Sea Otters
Conservation Efforts May Lead to More Human Interaction
As sea otter populations continue to recover thanks to conservation efforts, these playful marine mammals may start to interact with humans more frequently along the California coastline. In the early 20th century, sea otters were hunted to near extinction for their thick, water-repellent fur.
But after being protected under the Endangered Species Act in the 1970s, their numbers have rebounded to over 3,000 today. This resurgence has led sea otters to expand their range beyond remote, rocky shores into more populated areas.
For instance, sea otters have been increasingly spotted in harbors, marinas, and beaches in central California in recent years. While they typically avoid areas with heavy boat traffic, conservation efforts like banning gillnet fishing near their habitats has encouraged them to venture closer to human activity.
As their populations continue to grow thanks to ongoing protections, friendly encounters between sea otters and people will likely become more common along the California coast.
But Caution and Respect for Wildlife Still Needed
However, it’s important to remember that sea otters are still wild animals that should be given space and treated with respect. When viewing sea otters, it’s essential to keep a safe distance of at least 50 yards and avoid making loud noises or splashing that could startle them.
Getting too close can cause unnecessary stress for the animals. It can also put people in danger, as sea otters will bite if they feel threatened.
Feeding sea otters is also strongly discouraged, as it can make the animals dependent on humans for food. This unnatural behavior increases their exposure to boats and fishing gear, putting them at greater risk of injury.
While sea otters may become more visible as their populations grow, people should resist the urge to interact with them directly. With some basic caution and respect, humans can peacefully coexist with these engaging creatures along the coast.
Conclusion
While the average wild sea otter generally avoids close interactions with humans, rescued and rehabilitated otters, as well as those living in controlled aquarium environments, can become quite friendly.
With conservation efforts ongoing, sea otters may become more visible and accustomed to human activity over time. However, it’s crucial we respect these intelligent creatures and give them space, rather than seeking hands-on interactions or photo opportunities.
With some basic precautions, we can safely admire sea otters and their playful antics from a considerate distance.
